21st Century: Sustainable Homes

The global necessity of facing the challenges of climate change has unleashed the inventive powers of architects around the world, many of whom are tackling the problem in original and highly creative ways. As the selection of projects contained in this volume attest, the sustainable home has progressed far beyond a theoretical idea or unlivable research project, becoming an increasingly common reality requiring no sacrifice of lifestyle, comfort or style.

With lush full-colour photography, detailed floor and site plans, and informative descriptions of each house’s sustainable design elements, Sustainable Homes takes the reader on a round-the-world journey, traversing a range of climates, to see how today’s architects are using a combination of simple, traditional design elements and cutting-edge technologies to create more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly houses.

From the comprehensive technological sophistication of the Margarido House in the US and the Solar Active House in Germany, to the more passive designs of Brazil’s Bahia House and India’s Palmyra House, Sustainable Homes proves that sustainability can be affordable, comfortable and beautiful.